Training Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A training apparatus for training a gluteus maximus muscle. The training apparatus includes a load application device for producing a certain load. A seat section is provided for supporting a body of a trainee. A pivotally operative arm section is provided to receive the load produced by the load application device. A step is provided attached to the arm section, for resting a sole of the trainee thereon. The trainee is able to train the gluteus maximus muscle by repeating extending and bending actions of a leg while lying down on the seat section and resting the sole on the step. In this training apparatus, the step is rotated in linkage with a pivotal operation of the arm section.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improvements in a glutes-exercising typetraining apparatus for training or developing the gluteus maximus musclewhich connects the human pelvis to the femur.

As commonly known, the human gluteus maximus is an extensor muscle inthe buttocks and acts when rising from the seated position or whenclimbing stairs. A conventional example of a training machine forstrengthening the gluteus maximus, disclosed in “2006 MECCA fitnesscatalog”, page 5, will be schematically discussed with reference to FIG.10.

The machine illustrated in FIG. 10 includes a rectangular base frame 1having right-side and left-side frames 1 a, 1 b. A load applicationdevice 2 is erected on the right-side frame 1 a of the base frame 1. Aseat pad 3 and a pair of elbow pads 4 are disposed on the left-sideframe 1 b to face to the load application device 2. An L-shaped arm 5 towhich a load derived from the load application device 2 is transmittedis pivotably provided. Further, a foot bar 6 is provided attached to atip portion of the arm 5.

The seat pad 3 is supported by one support bar 7 erected at a corner ofthe base frame 1 while the elbow pads 4 are supported by a T-shaped bar8 erected on the base frame 1 at a center of the left-side frame 1 b.The T-shaped bar 8 is provided with a pair of L-shaped grips 9.

The base frame 1 further has a bottom frame 1 c on which an assistantframe 10 is erected, and additionally the right-side frame 1 a of thebase frame 1 has a rear end portion on which the other support bar 11 iserected. The arm 5 is pivotally supported at its base end portionbetween the other support bar 11 and a stationary plate 12 of theassistant frame 10.

More specifically, the base end portion of the arm 5 is welded to aperipheral surface of a shaft 13 rotationally attached between the othersupport bar 11 and the stationary plate 12 of the assistant frame 10. Toone end part of the shaft 13, a cam 15 to which the load derived fromthe load application device 2 is transmitted through a wire 14 is fixed.With this arrangement, the load of the load application device 2 isapplied to an upward pivotal movement of the arm 5.

In operation, a trainee (or a user) who is in such a posture as to liewith his abdomen on the seat pad 3 and to place his elbows on the elbowpads 4 to grasp the grips 9 kicks up the foot bar 6, with which the arm5 is pivotally moved upward thereby achieving the enhancement of thegluteus maximus muscle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, drawbacks have been encountered in the conventional trainingmachines. More specifically, in the training machine disclosed in “2006MECCA fitness catalog”, the gluteus maximus muscle is exercised only bythe repetition of motion kicking up the foot bar 6 and therefore thereis a fear that an effective training is not accomplished.

In other words, motions repeated by kicking up the arm 5 are no betterthan upward and downward motions so that the gluteus maximus musclecannot stretch or contract in the direction of muscle fibers. Thisraises a fear of reducing the efficiency of training.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to providean improved training apparatus for gluteus maximus muscle whichapparatus can effectively overcome drawbacks encountered in theconventional training machines.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedtraining apparatus for effectively developing the gluteus maximus muscleby twisting user's foot so as to turn the tiptoe outward.

An aspect of the present invention resides in a training apparatus fortraining a gluteus maximus muscle, comprising a load application devicefor producing a certain load. A seat section is provided for supportinga body of a trainee. A pivotally operative arm section is provided toreceive the load produced by the load application device. A step isprovided attached to the arm section, for resting a sole of the traineethereon. The trainee is able to train the gluteus maximus muscle byrepeating extending and bending actions of a leg while lying down on theseat section and resting the sole on the step. In this trainingapparatus, the step is rotated in linkage with a pivotal operation ofthe arm section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a training apparatus accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged side view of the training apparatus ofFIG. 1, showing an arm section and steps the training apparatusincludes;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the arm section andthe steps of the training apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, partially enlarged view showing a state where acam and a connecting member provided to the training apparatus of FIG. 1are in a start position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, partially enlarged view similar to FIG. 4, butshowing a state where the cam and the connecting member are in a finishposition;

FIG. 6A is an elevation of an L-shaped arm provided to the trainingapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6B is partially enlarged view of a wire provided to the trainingapparatus of FIG. 1, showing a state where the wire is fastened withnuts;

FIG. 7 is a perspective side view of the training apparatus of FIG. 1,showing a state where a trainee is in the start position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective side view similar to FIG. 7, but showing a statewhere the trainee is in the finish position;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a status of gluteus maximus muscle;and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a conventional training machine,showing an example of operation thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 8, an embodiment of a training apparatusaccording to the present invention is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 1,the training apparatus according to the present invention comprises abase frame 20 (having opposite frames as shown in FIG. 7 or 8). A loadapplication device 21 is provided mounted on one of the opposite framesof the base frame 20, while a seat section 22 is provided supported onthe other of the opposite frames of the base frame 20 so as to face theload application device 21. An arm section 23 to which a load derivedfrom the load application device 21 is transmitted is pivotallyprovided. A pair of steps 24 is provided to be driven in the directionsopposite to each other in linkage with rotation of the arm section 23.

(i) Load Application Device 21

The load application device 21 includes a rectangularly formed weightframe 25 having an upright side frame 25 a, as shown in FIG. 1. Aplurality of weight blocks 26 are provided stacked in the weight frame25. The weight blocks 26 are housed in a weight cover 27 and connectedto a belt 28 at one end portion 28 a of the belt 28 through a connectingelement 29. A support pipe 30 is provided welded to the upright sideframe 25 a of the weight frame 25 thereby supporting the arm section 23pivotally. An L-shaped connecting pipe 19 is disposed to connect thesupport pipe 30 to the upright side frame 25 a of the weight frame 25.Additionally, the belt 28 is so supported as to be hung on a pair ofsheaves 31.

The number of the weight blocks 26 can be selected in accordance withuser demands by using a connecting rod and a pin (not shown in theaccompanying drawings). The selected number of the weight blocks 26 islifted upward when the belt 28 is pulled, thereby producing a desiredload.

(ii) Seat Section 22

The seat section 22 includes an end pipe 32 erected on the other of theopposite frames of the base frame 20. A T-shaped pad receiver 33 isprovided attached to an upper end part of the end pipe 32 in such amanner as to be adjustable for height, and supports a seat pad 34 and apair of elbow pads 35.

The pad receiver 33 is, at its lower portion, welded to a movable plate36 generally U-shaped and upwardly and downwardly movably attached tothe upper end part of the end pipe 32. The movable plate 36 is fixed byinserting a lock pin (not shown but in linkage with operation of anadjusting lever 37) into any one of adjusting holes 39 that an adjustingplate 38 fixed on an upper side surface of the end pipe 32 has. Withthis arrangement, a height of the pad receiver 33 can be suitablyadjusted by changing the position of the lock pin from the one ofadjusting holes 39 to any other one.

An upper portion of the pad receiver 33 is formed linearly from aforward end portion to a center portion while being formed bent downwardat a rearward portion. A supporter 41 for supporting an arcuate handle40 is disposed on the forward end portion of the pad receiver 33. Agenerally U-shaped support post 42 for supporting the elbow pads 35 iswelded to the center portion of the pad receiver 33. Additionally, onthe rearward portion of the pad receiver 33, the seat pad 34 is fixedlymounted. The handle 40 is provided at its both ends with rubber grips43.

(iii) Arm Section 23

The arm section 23 comprises, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an arm mainbody 44 pivotally supported by a tubular journal 52 of the support pipe30. The arm main body 44 rotationally supports a pulley 45 at itscentral region, and an L-shaped arm 46 at its tip region. An L-shapedbar 47 is provided fixed on a side surface of the tip region of the armmain body 44. The arm section 23 further includes a pivotal support arm48 for supporting the L-shaped arm 46.

The arm main body 44 is shaped into a pipe and has in its longitudinaldirection three holes as shown in FIG. 3. Upper, middle and lower rods49, 50 and 51 of different lengths are provided in such a manner as torespectively pierce through the three holes, thereby being attached tothe arm main body 44. The upper rod 49 is rotationally inserted into thejournal 52 and an installation arm 53 for a balance weight, through abearing.

The pulley 45 is rotationally supported by the middle rod 50 through abearing. The belt 28 is wound at its other end portion 28 b on an outerperipheral surface of the pulley 45 via a pulley 54 located at theupright side frame 25 a of the weight frame 25, and is fixed by afastening member 55. When the arm main body 44 is pivotally movedupward, therefore, the belt 28 is pulled thereby producing a load of aweight of the selected number of the weight blocks 26.

The L-shaped arm 46 is pivotally pierced at its base end part with thelower rod 51 through a bearing, while the L-shaped bar 47 is welded atits outer peripheral surface of its base end portion to a head 51 a ofthe lower rod 51. When the L-shaped arm 46 is pushed in the directionindicated by an arrow C in FIGS. 2 and 8 (or when the L-shaped arm ismoved from the start position to the finish position), therefore, theL-shaped bar 47 is pivotally moved upward in synchronization with thearm main body 44.

The support arm 48 is formed generally L-shaped as shown in FIG. 3, andadditionally pivotally supported at its upper end section by theconnecting pipe 19 while being pivotally supported at its lower endsection by a bearing 56 provided projected from the base end part of theL-shaped arm 46. This means that the L-shaped arm 46 is supported by theconnecting pipe 19 through the support arm 48 so as to be restricted inexcessively downward pivotal movement.

(iv) Steps 24

Since both of the steps 24 are arranged generally symmetrical to eachother, a discussion about its arrangement will be made mostly on one ofthem with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. A step 24 is provided on a tip endpart 46 a of the L-shaped arm 46 to face on the seat pad 34. A cam 57 isprovided to be rotationally supported by the tip end part 46 a of theL-shaped arm 46. A step plate 58 on which a trainee (or a user) can resthis sole is provided to cover an upper region of the cam 57. A wire 59is wound around both of cams 57.

The cam 57 has a shaft region 61 rotationally piercing through apiercing hole 60 defined in the tip end part 46 a of the L-shaped arm46, and a top region 62 to which the step plate 58 is fastened byscrews. The top region 62 of the cam 57 is formed integral with theshaft region 61, and is bent at an upper edge region and side edgeregions toward the seat pad 34 to form a stopper 63. The top region 62of the cam 57 further has a cylindrical region 64 on the opposite sideof the seat pad 34.

One of cylindrical regions 64 of the cams 57 is provided including, atits outer periphery, an L-shaped support piece 65 protruding to theopposite side of the seat pad 34. To the support piece 65, a tip portion47 a of the L-shaped bar 47 is connected through a connecting member 67.

Meanwhile, the other of the cylindrical regions 64 of the cams 57 isprovided including, at its outer periphery, a bracket 66 for supportingboth ends of the wire 59 by piercing the wire 59 therethrough.

The connecting member 67 has at one end section one ring 69 into whichthe tip portion 47 a of the L-shaped bar 47 is rotationally inserted,and has at the other end section the other ring 68 pivotally supportingthe support piece 65 through a bolt stem portion.

When the L-shaped arm 46 is pushed in the direction indicated by thearrow C in FIGS. 2 and 8 (or when the L-shaped arm is moved from thestart position to the finish position), the L-shaped bar 47 is pivotallymoved upward in synchronization with the arm main body 44 as discussedabove, with which a distance between the tip end part 46 a of theL-shaped arm 46 and the tip portion 47 a of the L-shaped bar 47 isgradually increased so that the connecting member 67 is pulled upward bythe tip portion 47 a of the L-shaped bar 47 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.With this, the support piece 65 is pulled thereby driving the one of thecylindrical regions 64 of the cams 57 rotationally in the directionindicated by an arrow S in FIG. 6A.

The wire 59 is, as shown in FIG. 6A, wound about both of the cylindricalregions 64 of the cams 57 to have a figure eight appearance. Morespecifically, the wire 59 is wound around both of the cylindricalregions 64 of the cams 57 to form a ring around each of the cylindricalregions 64, and is arranged to pierce the bracket 66 at its both ends.The wire 59 is equipped with a male screw respectively at both ends, andfastened thereat with a nut, as shown in FIG. 6B.

Therefore, when the one of the cylindrical regions 64 of the cams 57 isrotated in the direction indicated by the arrow S in FIG. 6A, the otheris rotated in synchronization with this in the direction indicated by anarrow T in FIG. 6A. With this, step plates 58 are driven in thedirections opposite to each other, i.e., in the directions indicated bythe arrows S and T.

(v) Example of Operation of Training Apparatus

Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, an example of operation of the trainingapparatus at the time of performing a training for gluteus maximusmuscle will be discussed. First of all, the number of the weight blocks26 is selected to obtain a load that the trainee requires. Then, thetrainee adjusts the heights of the seat pad 34 and the elbow pads 35 byoperating the adjusting lever 37 so as to gain a position suitable forhis own physique.

The trainee thereafter assumes a posture lying down with his abdomen onthe seat pad 34 and with his elbows on the elbow pads 35 to grasp therubber grips 43 while resting his left sole against one of the stepplates 58 which is on the trainee's left. This state of the trainingapparatus is referred to as “a start position”.

When the trainee extends his left leg as shown in FIG. 8 while keepingthe above-discussed posture, the L-shaped arm 46 is pushed in thedirection indicated by the arrow C to pivotally move the arm main body44 upward. With this, the selected number of the weight blocks 26 islifted upward thereby producing a load thereof. This state of thetraining apparatus is referred to as “a finish position”. By repeatingextending and bending actions of the left leg under the load, in otherwords, by making reciprocations between the start position and thefinish position, the left part of gluteus maximus muscle is trained.

Simultaneously, the tip portion 47 a of the L-shaped bar 47 is pivotallymoved upward in synchronization with the movement of the arm main body44 so as to pull the connecting member 67 upward. With this, the supportpiece 65 is pulled to rotate the one of the cylindrical regions 64 ofthe cams 57 in the direction indicated by the arrow S in FIG. 6A,thereby driving the other of the cylindrical regions 64 rotationally inthe opposite direction, i.e., in the direction indicated by the arrow Tin FIG. 6A.

During this operation, the trainee's left foot is held at the sole byvirtue of the stopper 63, and therefore the trainee can easily twist hisleft foot to turn the tiptoe outward following the rotation in thedirection indicated in FIG. 6A by the arrow T. More specifically, whenthe trainee pushes the L-shaped arm 46 with his left foot in thedirection indicated by the arrow C in FIGS. 2 and 8 (or when the traineeoperatively moves the training apparatus from the start position to thefinish position), circularly twisting motions in the direction indicatedby an arrow P in FIG. 9 are imparted to the trainee's left gluteusmaximus muscle thereby exercising it.

Separately from the left gluteus maximus muscle training, the traineecan also perform a right gluteus maximus muscle training by resting hisright sole against one of the step plates 58 which is on his right andby repeating extending and bending actions of the right leg under theload.

In this case, also, circularly twisting motions in the directionindicated by an arrow Q in FIG. 9 are imparted to the trainee's rightgluteus maximus muscle thereby exercising it since the right one of thestep plates 58 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow S in FIG.6A.

According to the present invention, circularly twisting motions areimparted to the trainee's gluteus maximus muscle by twisting the foot atthe sole, thereby stretching and contracting the gluteus maximus muscleas a whole in the direction of muscle fibers. With this, the gluteusmaximus muscle can be effectively trained and the efficiency in gluteusmaximus muscle training is improved.

Technical ideas (a) to (e) grasped from the above embodiment will bediscussed together with advantages obtained thereby.

(a) A training apparatus for training a gluteus maximus musclecomprises: a load application device for producing a certain load; aseat section for supporting a body of a trainee; a pivotally operativearm section to which the load produced by the load application device istransmitted; and a step attached to the arm section, for resting a soleof the trainee thereon. The trainee is able to train the gluteus maximusmuscle by repeating extending and bending actions of a leg while lyingdown on the seat section and resting the sole on the step. In thistraining apparatus, the step is rotated in linkage with a pivotaloperation of the arm section.

According to technical idea (a), the trainee's gluteus maximus muscle istrained by being stretched and contracted as a whole in the direction ofmuscle fibers under such circular motions as to turn the sole outward,since the step is rotated in linkage with the pivotal operation of thearm section.

(b) In the training apparatus as discussed in technical idea (a), thearm section comprises: an arm main body pivotally supported by a framethat the load application device includes; and an L-shaped arm pivotallysupported by the arm main body at a tip region of the arm main body. Inthis training apparatus, the step is provided in a pair to be a pair ofsteps, both of which are attached to the L-shaped arm at a tip end partof the L-shaped arm so as to be rotated in the directions opposite toeach other.

(c) In the training apparatus as discussed in technical idea (b), thesteps comprise: driven members rotationally supported at the tip endpart of the L-shaped arm; step plates mounted on the driven members, forresting the sole of the trainee thereon; and a wire wound around thedriven members to have a figure eight appearance.

According to technical idea (c), when one of the driven members isrotated in one direction, the other of the driven members is rotated inthe opposite direction. In other words, the steps are driven in thedirections opposite to each other.

(d) The training apparatus as discussed in technical idea (c) furthercomprises: an L-shaped bar having a base end portion and a tip portionand fixed at the base end portion to a side surface of the tip region ofthe arm main body; and a connecting member through which the tip portionof the L-shaped bar is rotationally connected to a side region of one ofthe driven members. In this training apparatus, the tip portion of theL-shaped bar is adapted to pull the connecting member upward so as torotate the one of the driven members when the arm main body is pivotallymoved upward.

According to technical idea (d), the tip portion of the L-shaped bar isadapted to pull the connecting member upward to rotate the one of thedriven members, so that the other of the driven members is rotate ordriven in the opposite direction in synchronization with the rotation ofthe one of the driven members.

(e) In the training apparatus as discussed in technical idea (c), thestep plates are provided with stoppers for holding a position of thesole of the trainee.

According to technical idea (e), the circular motions which caneffectively stretch and contract the gluteus maximus muscle inaccordance with the rotation of the driven members are readily made onthe gluteus maximus muscle. In this specification, “sole” refers to,mainly, a sole of a shoe.

The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application P2007-206261 (filedAug. 8, 2007) are incorporated herein by reference.

Although the invention has been described above by reference to certainembodiments and examples of the invention, the invention is not limitedto the embodiments and examples described above. Modifications andvariations of the embodiments and examples described above will occur tothose skilled in the art, in light of the above teachings. For example,the stopper 63 may be taken out. In this case, the trainee's foot is, byfriction between soles of shoes or the like and the step plates 58,twisted in accordance with the rotation of the step plates 58 so thatthe gluteus maximus muscle can be stretched and contracted as a whole inthe direction of muscle fibers thereby being strengthened. Additionally,it will be understood that the wire 59 is removed and replaced withreversing gears provided with both of the cams 57 to drive the cams 57in the directions opposite to each other. The scope of the invention isdefined with reference to the following claims.

1. A training apparatus for training a gluteus maximus muscle,comprising: a load application device for producing a certain load; aseat section for supporting a body of a trainee; a pivotally operativearm section to which the load produced by the load application device istransmitted; and a step attached to the arm section, for resting a soleof the trainee thereon, wherein the trainee is able to train the gluteusmaximus muscle by repeating extending and bending actions of a leg whilelying down on the seat section and resting the sole on the step, whereinthe step is rotated about a rotation axis perpendicular to a pivot of apivotal operation of the arm section in linkage with the pivotaloperation of the arm section, and wherein the step includes a step plateon which the sole of the trainee is to be rested, the step plate facingperpendicular to the rotation axis.
 2. A training apparatus as claimedin claim 1, wherein the arm section comprises: an arm main bodypivotally supported by a frame that the load application deviceincludes; and an L-shaped arm pivotally supported by the arm main bodyat a tip region of the arm main body, wherein the step is provided in apair to be a pair of steps, both of which are attached to the L-shapedarm at a tip end part of the L-shaped arm so as to be rotated indirections opposite to each other.
 3. A training apparatus as claimed inclaim 2, wherein the steps comprise: driven members rotationallysupported at the tip end part of the L-shaped arm; step plates mountedon the driven members, for resting the sole of the trainee thereon; anda wire wound around the driven members to have a figure eightappearance.
 4. A training apparatus as claimed in claim 3, furthercomprising: an L-shaped bar having a base end portion and a tip portionand fixed at the base end portion to a side surface of the tip region ofthe arm main body; and a connecting member through which the tip portionof the L-shaped bar is rotationally connected to a side region of one ofthe driven members, wherein the tip portion of the L-shaped bar isadapted to pull the connecting member upward so as to rotate the one ofthe driven members when the arm main body is pivotally moved upward. 5.A training apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the step plates areprovided with stoppers for holding a position of the sole of thetrainee.
 6. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein thestep comprises a pair of steps coupled to each other so that saidrotation in linkage with a pivotal operation of the arm sectioncomprises an opposite rotation of the steps relative to each other.
 7. Atraining apparatus for training a gluteus maximus muscle, comprising: aload application device for producing a certain load; a seat section forsupporting a body of a trainee with the abdomen of the trainee supportedby the seat section; a pivotally operative arm section to which the loadproduced by the load application device is transmitted; a step attachedto the arm section, for resting a sole of the trainee thereon, whereinthe trainee is able to train the gluteus maximus muscle by repeatingextending and bending actions of a leg while lying down on the seatsection and resting the sole on the step, and wherein the step isrotated relative to the arm section in linkage with a pivotal operationof the arm section.
 8. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 7,wherein the step comprises a pair of steps coupled to each other so thatsaid rotation in linkage with a pivotal operation of the arm sectioncomprises an opposite rotation of the steps relative to each other.
 9. Atraining apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pivotallyoperative arm section comprises: an arm main body having a first pivotrelative to a support of a frame and a second pivot relative to thestep; and a pivotal support arm having a first pivot and a second pivotcoupling the pivotal support arm to the step to provide said rotation ofthe step in linkage with the pivotal operation of the arm section. 10.The training apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the stepscomprises a pair of steps and the relative rotation is about arespective axis of each step.
 11. The training apparatus as claimed inclaim 10, wherein the pivotally operative arm section comprises: an armmain body having a first pivot relative to a support of a frame and asecond pivot relative to an L-shaped arm to which the steps are mounted.12. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the pivotallyoperative arm section further comprises a link coupling the steps to thearm main body to drive the relative rotation.
 13. The apparatus of claim7 further comprising: a footrest positioned so that the trainee can restone said sole on the footrest while the other said sole is rested on thestep.
 14. The training apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein thesteps comprises a pair of steps and the relative rotation is about arespective axis of each step.
 15. The training apparatus as claimed inclaim 13, wherein the step comprises a pair of steps coupled to eachother so that said rotation in linkage with a pivotal operation of thearm section comprises an opposite rotation of the steps relative to eachother.
 16. A training apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein thepivotally operative arm section comprises: an arm main body having afirst pivot relative to a support of a frame and a second pivot relativeto the step; and a pivotal support arm having a first pivot and a secondpivot coupling the pivotal support arm to the step to provide saidrotation of the step in linkage with the pivotal operation of the armsection.